Specter attacks Sestak’s service
In the Democrat primary for his Senate seat, Arlen Specter has fired an opening salvo against his opponent, Joe Sestak by questioning the character of the former admiral’s service;
“Joe Sestak, relieved of duty in the Navy for creating a poor command climate,” a narrator says in the ad, referring to morale among Sestak’s subordinates. The spot, which began running Tuesday, also smacks Sestak for missing 127 votes in the House last year.
Here’s the ad;
Pennsylvania veterans are up in arms;
At the American Legion Hall Wednesday, the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Folsom, where Sestak is a member, criticized Specter.
“The anger inside right now is unbelievable,” said Jerry Gavin, 60, a former Army medic. If Specter “was here today, somebody would have to hold me back.”
I feel a measure of satisfaction watching Democrats do our work for us, however the Navy has never released a statement on Sestak’s firing, according to the article. I really can’t judge Sestak’s service from what’s public knowledge…but neither can Specter. Specter’s service lasted three years stateside as an Air Force OSI 1951 – 1953. I’m sure he wouldn’t like that service characterized by an opponent.
Category: Congress sucks
I never served under Sestak. I do, however, know some who have. Sestak was relieved of his command by Admiral Mike Mullen, almost as soon as Mullen took command as CNO. Sestak’s reputation as someone to avoid serving under was well-known throughout the Navy, and it apparently continued after his election to Congress, as witnessed by the staff turnover rate.
Sestak was serving as a vice-admiral, but retired as a rear admiral because of lack of time in the higher rank. Sestak has been known to use, however, his vice-admiral rank in public, on signs and other printed material even though he was retired as a rear admiral.
Regardless, although a good officer tactically, Sestak was always known as a temperamental and frustrating officer to serve with and under and would not hesitate to berate or belittle someone anywhere at anytime regardless of the propriety of the situation or offense. He was known to “fly off the handle” and to create an extremely hostile work environment, so much so that there was a constant stream, of requests for transfers from his staff to ANY other billet available.
Specter is, in my opinion, a flamin asshole, and a worthless pile of Democrat dog shit. However, I can’t take issue with his comments about Sestak, because they are based upon fact.
Respects,
Tim beat me to it.
He’s a horrid boss on Capitol Hill too from what folks have told me.
AW1 also beat me to the punch. Poor command climate was the nicest way Adm. Mullen could put it. Pretty much tells you all you need to know when then VADM Sestak gets shit-canned before the ink is dry on ADM Mullen’s CNO paperwork.
CDR Salamander has posts about Sestak’s Navy service.